Spross

Spross is the above‑ground axis of a vascular plant that bears organs such as leaves, buds, and flowers. In botany, it is commonly translated as “shoot” and constitutes the shoot system, distinct from the root system. The Spross includes the stem (often called the Sprossachse or Stängel), the attached leaves, and any inflorescences or reproductive structures. It is organized into nodes and internodes; leaves attach at nodes, and axillary buds lie in the leaf axils, capable of developing into shoots or flowers.

Growth originates from the shoot apical meristem at the tip, enabling primary growth and elongation. Lateral growth may occur via secondary growth in many woody plants, though grasses exhibit different patterns. Vascular tissue forms discrete bundles that transport water, minerals, and sugars along the axis.

Functionally, the Spross provides support for leaves and reproductive organs, conducts water and nutrients from roots to photosynthesizing tissues, and stores resources in some species. It responds to environmental cues such as light and gravity; apical dominance, regulated by hormonal signals, often limits the growth of lateral shoots.

Variation is common: shoots can be simple or highly branched; some plants possess modified shoots such as thorns or tendrils, and there are underground shoot forms like rhizomes and stolons, which are still considered part of the shoot system in broader usage.

Etymology and usage: The term derives from German sprießen, meaning to sprout, and is used in German botany and horticulture; in English, the corresponding term is typically “shoot.”